Scarlett joined Emma in the kitchen rather than going back to the common room, thinking Emma might need a hand with the drinks. She stood silently beside her, watching her measure and mix different drinks together. The silence grew uncomfortable as the seconds ticked by, and Scarlett fought to come up with something to talk about, something that wasn't related to Eric, the strangling, him...

An idea flashed in her mind, it wasn't the best conversation starter but at least it was something. She couldn't handle the awkward silence between them.

"Hey, Ems?" Scarlett asked, trying her best to keep her voice normal and light. "Emma?" She repeated again. Emma was miles away, deep in thought.

"Hmm?" She answered.

"You'll be turning 28 soon in a couple of months..."

"And?"

"And isn't it the age when it's to be decided whether it will be you or Eric who'll be inheriting the company?" Scarlett bit her lip, immediately regretting asking the question as Emma's face fell.

She remembered the day Emma had told her this. She remembered how angry she was, how emotional. And it made sense, how was she to go against Eric?

Emma had stormed into Scarlett's room and told her everything as she paced the whole area, burning a hole in the carpet. She was ranting about her father, how could he do this to her? Inheriting a multi-national company was not a joke, it just sucked that Eric's and her father were the co-founders of it, meaning only one would be inheriting it. They said it would ensure that the company goes in the best hands.

As soon as Emma heard Scarlett's question, she grew uneasy, almost spilling the drink she was pouring. She tilted her head forward, the movement making her blonde hair slid off her shoulder and falling over her face like a curtain, shielding herself from Scarlett's gaze.

"I'd rather not talk about it," Emma said quietly.

"Maybe we can come up with a solution? A middle ground?"

"If I want to discuss this topic, I'd rather do it with Eric," Emma stated firmly, then whipped around and looked directly into Scarlett's eyes, "Besides, you never tell me about the boy you dated, so why should I share this with you?"

Scarlett inhaled sharply, feeling as if Emma had just slapped her, she might as well have, given her statement. But what could she say in return? Emma is right, she thought bitterly.

However, she just couldn't spill everything to anybody, not even Emma. Spill without completely breaking down into a huge, sobbing mess, that is.

"Very well," said Scarlett, averting her eyes to break Emma's stare.

"Let's just get through the night, okay?" Emma sighed as she put one cold hand on her shoulder. "I think we all just need some sleep, especially me."

Only then did Scarlett notice the tired eyes, hints of dark circles, her moodiness... it was all out of character for Emma. So Scarlett just nodded and stood silently by her as she finished the task.

Emma entered the common room with Scarlett at her heels and noticed the tension between the boys. She was sick of it. Hopefully, it will all change in the morning. With this thought in mind, she started handing out the drinks with Scarlett accompanying her.

Moments later, they were all seated, drinks clutched in their hands and staring at each other awkwardly before Emma suddenly realized why they had the drinks in the first place.

"A toast, to our friendship," Emma smiled, raising her glass.

The others raised their glasses and together, they all took a sip before putting them down again.

"It's really good Emma, as usual," Carter said, smiling fondly at Emma.

Scarlett sipped her drink quietly, feeling the cool and sparkling fruity drink slid down her throat. She studied her surroundings and spotted the huge Black and shiny piano sitting in one corner of the room.

Instantly, memories of her father giving her piano lessons flashed in her mind. An 8-year old Scarlett sitting in her father's lap as he taught her the piano patiently, one note at a time. She remembered his eyes crinkling with pride and mirth as she got the beginning of a song correctly for the first time, his laughs when she used to create horrendous music...

An overwhelming feeling of sadness suddenly overcame her as she fought hard to keep her tears at bay. Scarlett took a huge swig of her drink, feeling the alcohol burn a trail in her throat. Already feeling a little buzzed, she threw Eric one last look before sauntering over to the piano.

Anthony watched Scarlett as she got up from her seat, he felt confused before understanding that she was making her way to the piano. Gosh, how long had it been since he last heard her play? Six months at the very least.

Anthony remembered the time when they all used to gather at their favorite coffee house almost every week and listen to Scarlett play one of her pieces on the piano for them. Just then, he realized how much he had missed her play it. He got up from his seat and went to stand beside Scarlett, waiting for her to start. The others got up too, grateful for the diversion.

Scarlett sat in front of the piano and hesitantly touched it. Then feeling more confident, she ran a hand over the smooth and shiny wood, instantly soothed by it. Opening up the cover, she looked at the piano keys and felt a tugging at her heart. Again, images of her father flashed in her mind as stared at the keys sadly.

Scarlett had left playing the piano ever since her fall out with her father. She wanted to detach herself from anything that involved him, emotionally and physically. Closing her eyes shut, Scarlett allowed herself to feel all the things that she had been refusing to feel ever since that day.

Slowly, she felt the presence of her friends as they joined her one by one. Opening her eyes, Scarlett turned and looked at them, her eyes resting on Eric. She stared intently at him, not even blinking.

Eric stood by the piano, waiting for Scarlett to play so he can call it a night and retreat to his room. What's taking her so long? He thought, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

He saw Scarlett's eyes opening slowly, saw how they looked at everybody before slowing down on him and stopping, saw the emptiness in them. He grew edgy as Scarlett's gaze got intense and felt the nervousness creeping back.

"Here, you forgot this," Carter said, handing Eric his drink.

Eric broke Scarlett's stare and turned towards Carter, shock replacing the previous emotions. Even though Carter wasn't looking at him, Eric knew it was a big step for him.

"And, apology accepted," Carter gave him a fleeting look, noticing Eric's wide eyes before turning his attention back to Scarlett.

For the first time in a couple of days, Eric felt... calm. This was enough for now, he would spend the rest of the trip focusing on mending his friendships. It was the most important thing to him.

Feeling at ease, Eric brought the glass to his lips and took a huge gulp, frowning at the taste.

"Did you change the recipe, Emma?" He asked.

"No, why?"

"It tastes better, that's all," Eric lied. Emma's lips pursed, doubting him, so he took another sip, trying to ignore the taste.

Shooting one last look at Eric, Scarlett downed her drink and then closed her eyes, allowing the memories of her father to flood her mind. She placed her hands over the keys, feeling the ridges, smooth and sharp at the same time.

The whole room had gotten silent, including the guests sitting by the fireplace. Slowly, but effortlessly, Scarlett moved her hands along the keyboard, her movements fluid, letting the music carry her emotions.

A sad and haunting melody filled every nook and cranny of the room, its sound clear and sharp in everyone's ears. Nobody uttered a single word, only felt the music, completely engrossed in the tune. The melody started off slow but started to pick up pace faster and faster, growing intense to a point that Eric couldn't handle anymore.

Images of the incident surged through Eric's memory, and all at once, every little detail of that day attacked Eric's mind. The song, the voices, the lights, the blood... so much blood.

Eric's breath started coming out shallow and quick, gripping the glass tighter in his hand, the fear of breaking it in his hands buried among the painful memories. He felt the stem of the glass, cool and slim to the touch. His gripped loosened, the glass falling from his hand. The thick Blue carpet absorbed the noise of it hitting the ground as the rest of the drink fell on it and Eric's shoes.

Already feeling the buzz of the drink, Eric felt even more lightheaded as he clutched his head as if doing that would stop all the agonizing memories from ambushing his brain. And finally, finally, he was at his breaking point.

But I was okay, I was okay...

The piano stopped abruptly, and Eric felt Anthony holding him by the shoulders to steady him, concerned and worry etched in his every feature.

Without uttering a single word, Anthony supported his best friend's full weight and took him upstairs towards his room.

"Is he okay?" Scarlett asked Anthony when he came down a few minutes later.

"I wouldn't say ok..." Anthony said softly, "But at least he's sleeping. I made sure of it."

"We should do the same," Carter commented, "It's quite late. Hopefully, he'll be feeling better tomorrow," he continued as he checked the time on his watch.

Everyone agreed and moved upstairs. Carter was just about to enter his room when he felt Emma grabbed his elbow, demanding attention. The others had already retired to their rooms, leaving Carter and Emma alone in the corridor. The light coming from the giant Christmas tree fell on one side of Carter's face, highlighting his sharp features.

"Can you please act civil to Eric tomorrow?" Emma fidgeted with the ring on her right hand, "I don't know what's wrong with him, but I do know he needs us, more than anything."

"Don't worry, I'll act as if nothing happened between us."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

***

Charlotte laughed, clutching at her stomach, despite the lame joke Levi had just told her. They were on a picnic, the sun was setting, casting a beautiful glow on the face of the man she loved so much.

Charlotte picked up a grape and resumed their previous game, a game of who caught the most grapes in mid-air. She aimed the grape at Levi's open mouth, just about to throw it when his face started changing.

Blood trickled down from his mouth, eyes, and nose as she watched and stared in horror. The skin started peeling back as Levi's face twisted in pain. Unable to control herself, Charlotte screamed, not stopping.

Charlotte sat up with a gasp, sweat beaded on her forehead and palms. Straightaway, she looked at Levi, sleeping soundly beside her. Releasing a breath of relief, she touched his face, just to calm herself.

Just a dream...

It wasn't until two heartbeats later that she realized there was somebody who was actually screaming. A scream, loud and shrill enough to pierce through the thick, wooden door and disturb her sleep.

"Levi, Levi!" Charlotte shook him violently. This man sleeps like the dead, she groaned.

Growing uneasy by the moment, she shook him one last time, thankful when he finally started coming to his senses.

Levi sat up as soon as he heard the scream, glanced over his wife quickly to make sure she was safe before darting towards the door, his detective training and instincts kicking in.

Charlotte rushed out of the bed too, just behind Levi as he wrenched open the door and stepped outside. Charlotte found and flicked on the light switch as Levi ran towards the source of the scream.

Once the lights flooded the entire floor, Levi halted in his steps as he saw the scene in front of him, not believing his eyes.

Emma was hunched over, sobbing hysterically, her hands covering her face as she repeated one word over and over again.

No, no, no...

Emma couldn't believe what she had seen a few moments ago, didn't want to believe. She opened her eyes cautiously and looked again, or tried to, for everything was a blur because tears were continuously streaming down her face.

She desperately wished that it was just a nightmare. A horrid nightmare. Desperately wished she would wake up any moment now. But even in her depths of denial, she knew. Knew what she saw, knew that it was all real.

Another round of tears assaulted her, her heart beating erratically against her ribs, finding it hard to even breathe. With a gut-wrenching realization, she let the reality sink into her.

Eric is dead.

***

This chapter made me sad... What did you think of it? Would love to hear your thoughts. Please don't forget to vote if you liked the chapter, it was really hard to write! :(

See you on Sunday!